Low hemoglobin as a risk factor in influencing severity of bronchiolitis

Abstract

Bronchiolitis is the major cause of hospitalisation in children under 2 years of age. It has peak incidence between 2 months to 6 months. There is an increase in severity of bronchiolitis in children with anemia. Our study is undertaken to prove that low hemoglobin is an independent risk factor for bronchiolitis Methods: This study is a prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital. Children admitted with bronchiolitis in the age group of 2 months to 2 years were included in study group. Total of 91 children were enrolled in the study. Duration of study was one year. Hemoglobin levels of the children were correlated with the severity by BROSJOD scoring of bronchiolitis. Results: The study showed that hemoglobin levels were low in children of severe group by BROSJOD scoring. Mean hemoglobin level of 9.7 ± 1.4 is found in children of severe group, mean hemoglobin of 10.2 ± 1.2 is found in moderate group and mean hemoglobin of 11.0 ± 0.8 is found in mild group. Conclusion: The study concluded that hemoglobin would influence the severity of bronchiolitis and could be an in independent risk factor in influencing the severity.